Calming a busy mind, and the power of movement

Oct 24

6 min read

Updated: Oct 26

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all well. This week I’ve been reading a very interesting book about ADHD and the challenges of a busy mind, which got me thinking about how many of us juggle a hundred things at once and find it hard to switch off.

It also had some lovely practical ideas for using movement to reset and refocus, which I wanted to share with you.

Happy reading!

What I’ve been reading this month…

Invisible ADHD: Proven Mood and Life Management for Smart Yet Scattered Women by Shanna Pearson.

I didn’t specifically set out to find a book about ADHD, or one written especially for women. But I was curious, did my usual random page test, and liked it.

It’s a really clear and engaging introduction to ADHD, how the ADHD mind can work, and practical ways to make everyday life feel a little less overwhelming.

Whether you have an ADHD diagnosis, are curious about whether you might have it, or simply have a busy life and mind, I think understanding how our minds work can help us find better ways to navigate everyday life, whatever the explanation might be.

The book also explores how ADHD can look different in men and women, explaining that men are more likely to show outward signs, while women may deeply internalise their struggles, masking difficulties or working hard to keep everything together. This can make ADHD less visible and mean it goes unrecognised for years.

When everything feels like everything, all at once

One of the things the book explores is the way some people with ADHD experience the world: a mind that feels constantly switched on, thoughts that overlap, and a tendency to become overwhelmed when everything seems equally important.

I visualise everything I think about, so I imagine a busy mind as a tangled ball of wool, every strand representing a different thought, or aspect of everyday life, with no clear beginning or end. And somehow, every single strand feels just as important and urgent as the next.

The author highlights three patterns in particular that I found interesting.

1. The unconscious need for stimulation

Routine, repetitive or less interesting tasks can be particularly difficult to engage with. The mind starts looking elsewhere for something more captivating. Perhaps you begin daydreaming, fidgeting, jumping between tasks or putting something off until a looming deadline finally provides the urgency you need to get going.

Sound familiar? The interesting thing is that what looks like procrastination from the outside may sometimes be an attempt to find the stimulation needed to engage.

2. Difficulty compartmentalising

You sit down to do one thing, but your mind has other ideas. One thought leads to another, which reminds you of something else you need to do, which brings up a completely unrelated idea. Before you know it, you're thinking about ten things at once, and the original task has disappeared somewhere in the mix.

I have noticed I do this quite often, especially when I’m cooking dinner, which has led to quite a few burnt dinners!

3. Becoming flooded by overwhelm

When every thought, feeling and possibility seems equally important, it can become difficult to know where to start. Everything feels urgent, everything needs attention, and separating one thing from another feels almost impossible.

I think many of us can relate to moments like these.

Looking at the other side: what are the strengths?

Something I liked about reading this book was the reminder that we shouldn't look only at what makes life difficult. Some of the traits associated with ADHD can also have a positive side.

Hyperfocus

When something genuinely captures their interest, some people with ADHD can become completely absorbed in it. That intensity of attention can lead to deep exploration, learning and creativity. When a task aligns with something really meaningful to them amazing things can happen.

Unconventional thinking

Some people with ADHD describe feeling less naturally suited to conventional ways of doing things. They may question established approaches, make unexpected connections or come up with ideas that others haven't considered.

I like the idea of not automatically accepting that something has to be done a certain way simply because that's how it's always been done. There can be real value in having the freedom to think differently, challenge assumptions and find your own way.

A big heart and a deep capacity to care

Some people with ADHD describe experiencing emotions intensely, which can sometimes mean feeling deeply connected to the people they love and being especially moved by what others are going through. For some, this can translate into warmth, compassion and a genuine desire to help others feel understood and included.

A mind full of possibilities

Of course, these aren't guaranteed ADHD superpowers, and the same traits can bring their own challenges. But I think it's nice to look at how being different comes with it’s strengths, and 1000’s of possibilities…the challenge is finding a way to narrow those possibilities down! And thats where I think this book is really helpful.

The power of movement over the mind

This was one of my favourite parts of the book, and the bit that links most closely to what I teach.

The author talks about state changes: the connection between our physical, mental and emotional states, and how changing one can influence the others. The physical state is the easiest to change and she talks about how to utilize this to help with focus. Simply raising your heartbeat, or moving in a different way can help to reset the mind.

Think about how you feel after a brisk walk, a good stretch or even a few minutes of moving your body when you've been sitting at a desk for hours. You might return feeling clearer, calmer or more able to tackle whatever was in front of you.

Movement isn't a magic switch, and it won't solve every problem. But it can be a simple, accessible way to shift how we feel, interrupt a cycle of thoughts and bring our attention back to the present.

Here are a few ideas from the book that I've particularly enjoyed.

Challenge your balance

Try standing on one leg for a short while as you do something else, such as brushing your teeth or reading something at the kitchen counter. Yes, I know, I'm always telling you this!

Keep a hand near a stable support, particularly if balance is something you're working on. Simply bringing your attention to your balance can be enough to interrupt autopilot.

Add a little movement to everyday moments

The book suggests turning everyday routines into opportunities to move, such as reaching up to touch the top of a door frame as you pass through it (another one I’m always going on about!)

Try a two-minute tidy

Put on your favourite music and spend two minutes tidying, moving briskly and seeing how much you can get done.

I categorise cleaning as exercise! Yes, it can be tedious, but it can also be surprisingly meditative. You're moving, using your body, focusing on something concrete and, at the end, you've got a slightly tidier space as a bonus.

I like the idea of taking something that feels like another chore and using it as an opportunity to move and reset.

A little reminder for the week ahead

For me, these ideas are another reminder of the powerful connection between movement and how we feel, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too.

There are so many little opportunities to add extra movement throughout the day. You don't need to turn everything into a workout, but a little extra movement can be a useful reminder to reconnect with your body.

It also makes me think about my own experience of doing Pilates. Many times I’ve gone to a class with a headache, feeling overwhelmed, with my mind full of everything I needed to do. I would almost always leave feeling so much better, and often my headache had eased, too.

Some of my clients have described feeling something similar. I'm not suggesting Pilates is a cure for headaches, or that it works the same way for everyone, but I do think there's something to be said for taking time out, moving your body and giving your mind a chance to to step out of a cycle of thoughts and reset.

Class Schedule & New Beginners Class

Here’s my current class schedule. A couple of timetable updates: our Monday morning class will now start at 9:30am rather than 9am and my new Wednesday 1pm Beginners class starts on the 4th November.

You can find out more about my new beginners class here.

If you’d like to join a class or be kept up to date about new spaces, just get in touch.